Patrick vs. Collier: What to know about the 2018 Texas Lieutenant Governor race

Leading up to the election, some Texas voters are wondering why a debate between the candidates has yet come to fruition.

Author: Drew Knight

Published: 12:22 PM CDT August 29, 2018

Updated: 11:03 AM CDT October 2, 2018

AUSTIN — Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R) is facing off against Mike Collier (D) in the November election.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was elected in 2014, winning the general election by almost 20 points. While he held office, the Senate passed legislation to increase support for border security and reduced the franchise tax -- a business tax that helps lower property taxes but also helps fund public education in times of low revenue -- by 25 percent. He also worked for property tax relief and law enforcement safety. He's additionally known for his sonogram bill and other measures against abortion in Texas.

Meanwhile, opponent Collier began his career at Exxon before finding his way to accounting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers, LLC. He worked in the auditing realm for 10 years before becoming partner at the Houston office, where he worked for an additional 10 years. He later helped build a successful Texas oil company, serving as CFO.

Collier, a Georgetown native and University of Texas graduate, has outlined his stance on major issues on his website:

Voters across the state have been wondering if Lieutenant Governor candidates Dan Patrick (R) and Mike Collier (D) would meet for a debate, especially after Patrick agreed to "debate" Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera.

After appearing on the network, Patrick challenged Rivera, later tweeting he was ready to debate him. Patrick then tweeted, "Let me be clear, a 7-minute segment is not a debate."

I am ready to debate @GeraldoRivera. We immediately called @seanhannity but they haven’t put this together yet. Let me be clear. A 7 minute segment is not a debate. I will fly to NYC for 30 mins, face to face, Sept 4 or 5. Hope @seanhannity will graciously host. #txlege

The announcement caught the eyes of many, including opponent Collier. Collier pointed out Patrick has avoided numerous press inquiries to debate his actual challenger in the race for Lieutenant Governor, including one from FOX 26 News in Houston.

Will be interesting to see if @DanPatrick backs down from his demand to debate @GeraldoRivera. Texans of every stripe reacted immediately and forcefully to the insult by a Lt. Governor who cares more about national headlines than the very people he should serve. #CanDan

"I accept Fox’s offer and will expose Dan Patrick’s many failures as Lt Governor. You can’t raise property taxes, slash funding for public education, and waste everyone’s time on a hateful bathroom bill and NOT come forward and defend yourself," Collier said.

Matt Mackowiak, a Republican consultant, called Patrick's lack of acknowledgment a strategic move for Patrick as the election gets closer.

"If the lieutenant governor agreed to debate his opponent, he would be giving his opponent an advantage," said Mackowiak. "His opponent has almost no name identification across the state. He's raising very little money and getting almost no traction whatsoever."